Mineralogical variability of Callovo-Oxfordian clays from the Paris Basin and the Subalpine Basin

High-resolution clay mineralogical data at the Middle/Upper Jurassic boundary from the French Subalpine Basin, the Jura Mountains and the Paris Basin (ANDRA boreholes) from Callovo-Oxfordian clayey deposits allow spatial and temporal terrigenous flux evolution to be considered over a period of 6 to 7 Myr. Recorded diachronisms of major mineralogical changes and complex clays distribution at the Paris Basin scale result to combined palaeogeographic/eustatic variations and climate input. In the French Subalpine Basin, mineralogical homogeneity confirms the burial diagenesis influence, but other terrigenous supplies must be involved in contrast to the Paris Basin domains. Volcanogenic clays (bentonites) recorded in the two basins reflect paroxysmal explosive volcanic events allowing high resolution correlations to be made and to define active volcanic sources for the Jurassic. To cite this article: P. Pellenard, J.-F. Deconinck, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).